As Halloween quickly approaches, here are some tips for safe trick or treating for your family. Let’s also use this time to teach our children about stranger danger. We need to keep them safe from even the most enticing candy.

I know what you are thinking, I am an adult of course my child(ren) are going to be safe, trick or treating, but think of it as a refresher. There are a lot of freaks out there.

Better to be safe then sorry.

Have adult supervision. Always accompany your children if you don’t think they’re old enough to trick or treat on their own.

The more the merrier. If they’re old enough to trick or treat without an adult, they should alway stay in a group setting. Two or three are always better then one.

Have a mapped agenda. Designate a route before your children begin trick or treating, and make sure they stick to it. That way if they ar not back in a timely fashion you can go look for them.

Trick or treat in friendly neighborhoods. Ensure your children only visit houses with lights on. And, if they have Halloween decoration on the porch then they are sure to be in the spirit.

Apples, peanut butter and marshmellows. Dip your apples in pineapple or lemon juice and they will not get brown!

Stay in a crowd. Have your children trick or treat in areas where there are a lot of people around. They should also avoid taking short-cuts through the woods, alleys and parking lots.

Stay outside. Make sure your children never go inside someone’s house. Unless of course you know them. They should never have to go inside to get candy from someone.

Shorter equals safer. Costumes shouldn’t be too long so that they don’t trip over them. Wear flame retardant costumes, because of fire in the jack-o-lanterns.

Remain visible. Dress your children in a bright costume so others can see them. If their costume is dark, have your children wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or a flashlight. Remember there are still a lot of drivers around, that may not be looking out for you or your children.

Spaghetti noodles and hot dogs! Who would have thought. This is such a fun idea. Add pasta sauce for a bloody effect.

Don’t cover the face. Instead of masks, have your children wear make-up so they can see better. And also, masks make them sweaty anyways.

Quality-check treats. Check your child’s candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered or opened.

Say “no” to strangers. Tell your children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.

Obey the law. Encourage your kids to follow all the rules for walking around. That includes looking both ways before crossing, obeying all traffic laws and using cross walks and crossing lights where available.

I hope that you and your family stay safe and have fun this coming Monday.

What are you and your little ones dressing up as?

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Word Of The Moment

I am a lover of words. I do admit that I am not very dexterous about using them in sentences, but when I am reading a book and I see a great word it makes me smile. Words that flow so well in a paragraph and I think to myself, what I wonderful word.

So as often as I can, I will try to share with you the words that do it for me. :)